St. Kitts

Formally known as St. Christopher Island, this little Leeward Island is a sugary treat, from its sparkling beaches to its history in the sugar cane industry, the crop that became its mainstay in 1640 after Virginia took over tobacco production in the New World. Today, it’s the former that headlines here, with golden and black-sand beaches that line the shores that melt into untouched dive sites marked by massive beds of coral.

The wildlife on land is just as diverse as that in the sea. Mongooses, frigate birds, cattle egrets, and actual cattle—along with goats, black-bellied sheep, and vervet monkeys—roam this rare American oceanic rainforest, more than a quarter of which has been designated as a national park. On the only train in the Caribbean outside of Cuba, 17.5 narrow-gauge tracks take you through the heart of it. Nine forts, including UNESCO World Heritage Site Brimstone Hill Fortress, add even more character to a peaceful destination that urges visitors to “follow their hearts.”

Good to Know

No gay scene

Female homosexuality is legal, but not male

Discretion is advised

Featured Resorts:

Ocean Terrace Inn

The newly renovated (completed in 2015) Ocean Terrace Inn sits high atop one of St. Kitts most spectacular vistas, overlooking the Caribbean Sea, the capitol city of Basseterre and the neighboring island of Nevis. Sitting on 3 acres immersed in gardens rich in colorful flowering shrubs and trees, the property's lushly terraced hillside lazily cascades down to the water's edge.

Sugar Bay Club Suites & Hotel

Sugar Bay Club is set amidst five acres of landscaped gardens on the edge of a golden sand beach in the lively Frigate Bay area of St. Kitts. A low-rise resort, it is ideal for couples, singles or families seeking a quiet and peaceful vacation in the tropics. And where everyone is given a warm Caribbean welcome the moment they step through the door.

Additional Resorts:

Ottley's Plantation Inn

Escape to paradise, plantation style. Situated at the foot of majestic Mt. Liamuiga, overlooking the Atlantic, the 35 acre Ottley's Plantation Inn is a magnificent Caribbean hideaway - a perfect, restful spot for travelers seeking a retreat from the hectic pace of daily life. The breezes are balmy year-round, and the natural setting provides panoramic ocean and garden views at every turn. Perched on a hillside 500 feet above sea level, Ottley's secluded location on the North ...